Some residents of Plateau State have criticized President Bola Tinubu over his visit to the state on Thursday to sympathize with victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Gari Yawaye, a community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, where over 30 people were killed and several others injured.
The president visited in response to the violence but delivered his address at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, located about 100 kilometers from the scene of the attack, before departing the state.
His approach has drawn backlash from many residents, who argued that the visit lacked the empathy expected from a national leader. Several expressed disappointment that the president neither visited the affected community nor met victims receiving treatment in hospitals.
Many of the aggrieved residents took to social media to question why the president chose to address stakeholders at the airport while victims remained far from the venue.
One resident, Kacholom Luka, wrote on Facebook:
“Welcome to Heipang Airport of Plateau State, Mr. President. Are the injured victims of the attack, currently receiving treatment in the hospital, being transported there for your viewing? Should you not be visiting the victims in the hospital? It is well with all of us in this country.”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments.
Comrade Bright Gyang criticized the move, describing it as insensitive and questioning the decision to address victims from an armored vehicle at the airport.
Joel Poret also faulted the visit, calling it “insensitive” and arguing that the president could have addressed the nation from Abuja if he had no intention of meeting the victims directly.
Rhoda Daniel expressed disappointment, saying she expected more compassion from the president and criticized the decision not to visit Jos.
Kefas Habila noted that the presence of leaders during difficult times often provides hope and reassurance, lamenting that the president’s actions fell short of that expectation.
Joey Shekwonuzhibo pointed out that the stakeholders’ meeting held at the airport was far from the actual site of the March 29 attack.
Aaron Azi compared the visit to previous instances, alleging a pattern in which affected communities were not directly visited during times of crisis.
Others, including Ibrahim Yakubu and Emma Jando, described the development as typical of Nigerian political leadership, accusing leaders of prioritizing politics over the welfare of citizens.
The criticism underscores growing frustration among residents, many of whom believe the president’s visit missed an opportunity to provide direct comfort and solidarity to victims of the attack.
